Richard Bruton
Ceist:320 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the reason maintenance grants under the ESF scheme were withdrawn for pre-employment courses in VECs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Withdrawal of Maintenance Grants.
I would like to point out to the Deputy that since the discontinuance of the allowance for pre-employment courses, the numbers actually participating in such courses has increased by approximately 6,000.
The range and type of courses as well as the number of centres has also increased — for example, 1988 — 331 centres and 1991 — 450 centres approximately.
As the Deputy will also be aware, I recently announced the establishment of a national certifying body for such courses. It is intended to establish this body as soon as the necessary consultations with relevant interests have taken place so that it can start examining the content of courses which are due to start in the schools next September.
For vocational, preparation and training courses £50.6 million will be spent in 1991.